2011 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) The cooperative agreement will provide a valuable set of Phytophthora ramorum-infected plant material that will be delivered to the CPHST NPGBL that will then be lyophilized for the development of a plant tissue-based proficiency test panel for distribution by the NPGBL to laboratories accredited by the CPHST NPPLAP that wish to be certified to perform Phytophthora ramorum molecular diagnostics. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) We will use the methods developed by investigators at the University of California, Berkeley to perform inoculations of Camellia and Rhododendron plant materials with Phytophthora ramorum under conditions optimized for infection. All inoculations will be done inside the FDWSRU plant Pathogen Greenhouse Containment Facility. We will surface disinfect and ship infected plant materials under APHIS PPQ permit to the NPGBL for creation of a mock panel for diagnostics proficiency testing. 3.Progress Report Tissue production for development of a plant tissue-based proficiency test panel was continued. The panel is distributed to laboratories to be certified to perform molecular diagnostics for this pathogen. We continued modification and experimentation with methods to consistently produce high-quality infected material for shipment to APHIS. Work with target organism Phytophthora ramorum was primary, but work with additional species that do not readily produce sporangia was continued as well. Methods of wounding to obtain optimal symptom development were explored. Leaves of all species following inoculation were incubated in moist chambers at 100 percent relative humidity, in darkness at 20C. Five days after inoculation, leaf surfaces were dried with a paper towel, and leaves were double-bagged and shipped to the National Plant Germplasm and Biotechnology Laboratory, Beltsville, MD. Shipments occurred intermittently throughout the performance period in response to APHIS requests.